Wild Winter Lights Presented by NOPEC

1. What does my ticket include?
Tickets include:

• Admission to Wild Winter Lights. 
• Unlimited access to the Circle of Wildlife Carousel presented by MetroHealth (on Walk Through nights)
• Unlimited access to 4-D movie viewings of Rudolph (on Walk Through nights)

This year’s event features hundreds of lighting displays across holiday-themed areas including Colorful Forest, Magical Storybook, Swan Lake and Santa’s North Pole Lodge presented by CrossCountry Mortgage. Guests will be able to experience Wild Winter Lights on foot or in their own personal vehicle, depending on which night Walk Through and Drive Through experiences are offered, please refer to the event schedule below.

2. What are the hours of the event?
The Walk-Through event is from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on select dates listed below beginning November 20. The event will not be held on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or New Year’s Eve. Drive-Through dates, also listed below, begin November 18.

Drive-Through dates:
November 18, 19, 25
December 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16

Walk-Through dates:
November 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 28, 29, 30
December 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

3. How much does a ticket cost and when can I buy tickets?
Buy ahead and save the most! Ticket prices increase based on event date proximity.

The cost on Walk-Through evenings when purchased at least a day in advance is $24 for Zoo members and $27 for non-members, or a 4-pack bundle of tickets for $70 for Zoo members and $80 for non-members. Advance ticket prices increase when purchased on the day of the event to $27 for Zoo members, $29 for non-members and $87 for the 4-pack bundle of tickets for both Zoo members and non-members. The price includes a non-refundable transaction fee of $1.00 per ticket that will be added at check-out for all online ticket purchases. Tickets purchased at the Box Office or Guest Resource Center on the evening of the event are $30 per person for both members and non-members once the online pre-sale window closes. The 4-pack bundle is not available for walk-up sales. 

Children under 2 are admitted for free. 

Online ticket sales end at 4:00 p.m. on the same day as the event. After that, all tickets will be sold at the Walk-Up rate.

The Box Office opens at 4:30 p.m. and closes at 8:00 p.m. during Walk Through Events.  

Drive Through event dates are sold by the vehicle. The Box Office is not open during Drive-Through nights, but online sales will remain open pending availability.

4. How do Zoo members get their discounted tickets?

Members receive a discount on Wild Winter Lights tickets only when purchased in advance. Members who purchase at the Box Office on the evening of the event must pay the regular Walk-Up price of $30. Members should log in to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo website using the email and password associated with their membership. Once logged in correctly, members can access the reduced price ticket from the "Member Tickets" section of the webstore. If you have any questions regarding your Membership you may contact Cleveland Zoological Society between 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. at 216.635.3329.

5. Are there any other discounts?
Groups of 20 or more people can contact 216.635.3304 for discounted tickets to the event. Advanced notice is required. Discounts do not apply on Drive Through evenings.

6. Are there any discounts for children?
Children under age 2 enter Wild Winter Lights free. Ages 2 and up require a ticket. Families can save by planning ahead and purchasing the 4-pack ticket bundle in advance online before 4:00 p.m.

7. Help! I can’t find my online ticket. What do I do?
After an online purchase, guests should receive their ticket order via email within a few minutes. If you notice that you have not received your emailed ticket order yet, try the following. Ticket orders from the Zoo are emailed from [email protected]. Try searching for that sender in your inbox. Try checking alternate locations such as your Spam/Clutter/Junk folders if you cannot locate your ticket order in your inbox.

Guests may also retrieve their own online ticket order by going back to the online store and clicking MENU in the top left corner and then selecting “Order Lookup”.

Past online order history can be retrieved by entering the email address and phone number used during the original purchase process.

If these suggestions did not work, please call 216.635.3391 for assistance in having the ticket order resent to you. 

If you realize that on the evening of your event, that you cannot locate your online ticket purchase, please check in at the Ticket Plaza between 5:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. to have Zoo staff assist you in person. During Drive-Through evenings, please notify Zoo staff directing traffic flow as the Box Office is not open on Drive-Through nights.

Guests can now add their tickets to their virtual wallets. Please make sure to add EACH ticket separately.

8. What other attractions will be open?
The Eagle Zip Adventure will be open, weather permitting, during the Walk Through nights of the festival, separate tickets required. Eagle Zip Adventure is not included in the price of a Wild Winter Lights ticket and must be purchased separately on-site. Memberships with the add-on Wild Savings privileges will be honored during the event.

Zipline pricing is $9 per person, $8 for Zoo members, and $7 per person for Zoo members with Wild Savings privileges.

9. What entertainment will be at the event?
Highlights of this year’s event include dazzling walk-through displays, carousel rides presented by MetroHealth, costumed characters, model train displays and a light show featuring a massive 50-foot-tall tree. Guests can also take photos with Santa at his workshop and watch Rudolph at the 4-D Theater during the Walk Through event.

10. Is there an additional cost to take your photo with Santa?
Guests are welcome to take photos with Santa on their phone or camera at no charge. Photos will also be available for purchase.

11. Does a ticket to Wild Winter Lights also provide entry to regular Zoo hours?
No. Wild Winter Lights tickets are only valid for the evening special event. Daytime admission to the Zoo is a separate ticket. Daytime guests, including members, who also purchased Wild Winter Lights tickets, will need to exit the zoo at 4:00 p.m. and re-enter the Zoo for Wild Winter Lights between 5:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. with their special event ticket. 

12. Will I be able to see animals during the event?
Along the event pathway, some animals may be less visible at night, and depending on their needs, they may stay out of public view during the evening. Many animals that are cold tolerant and enjoy the cold will have voluntary access to their outdoor habitats such as bears, tigers and reindeer. Areas of the Zoo not open during the evening event include Australian Adventure and Primate, Cat & Aquatics. Guests wanting to see animals should visit the Zoo during daytime hours for the best opportunity.
 
13. Will there be trams?
Tram service will not be available during this event. The light displays are located throughout the lower portion of the Zoo. For guests that require assistance walking, wheelchairs and electric scooters are available for rent through the Main Gift Shop, reservations are suggested at 216.661.7603.

14. What other services are available? Can I rent a stroller or wheelchair during the event?
Limited quantities of sensory bags, strollers, electric scooters and push wheelchairs are available. To reserve a wheelchair, please contact our Gift Shop at 216.661.7603 (the Zoo Gift Shop does not have email access). We highly suggest that guests needing either a wheelchair or electric scooter contact the Gift Shop in advance (wagons and strollers cannot be reserved). Rentals are located in the Welcome Plaza on the right side under the green awning. Guests must show a valid photo ID.

*Electric scooters are not available for rent during inclement weather.*

Pricing:

• Double Stroller or Push Wheelchair: $12 plus tax (photo ID required)
• Wagon: $15 plus tax (photo ID required)
• Electric Scooter-weather dependent: $30 plus tax (photo ID required)
• Rental quantities are limited and may not be available without an advance reservation.

15. What food/concessions will be open?
Food stands may vary by night, but Wild Winter Lights guests are sure to find a variety of hot beverages, meals, and snacks while attending the Walk Through event. Guests are not permitted to bring in their own alcohol but may bring in other outside food and drink. Christmas Ale and other adult beverages will be available for purchase. 

16. Are pets allowed into the event?

Pets are not permitted on Zoo grounds. If you have a service animal covered by ADA regulations, please notify Zoo staff prior to entering and we will assist you. 

17. Is the event outdoors?

Yes. 

18. Will the event occur if it rains or snows?

Yes, this is a rain or shine event. No rain checks are available.

19. Who should I contact with general questions about the event or questions about how to buy a ticket online?

Please contact the Guest Resource Center at 216.635.3391.

20. Who should I contact if I have a problem with my ticket or an issue from an existing purchase?

Please contact the Guest Resource Center at 216.635.3391.

1. What are the hours of the event?
This is a timed ticket event. The earliest entry option into the event is 5:00 p.m. and the last entry timeslot is 8:30 p.m. Be sure to note your scheduled entry time to plan your arrival at the Zoo accordingly. Access is valid for one trip through the event on the purchased event date. Guests may enter anytime within their selected 30-minute window. The average length of time driving is 60-90 minutes. The event will not be held Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

2. How much does a ticket cost?
Drive Through tickets purchased online for Members are $49 and Non-Members are $59 per car, one trip. The price includes a non-refundable transaction fee of $1.00 per ticket that will be added at check-out for all online ticket purchases. It is highly recommended to purchase your ticket early if you have a preferred date/time as timeslots often sell out. For Drive Through events, the Box Office will be closed in the evening, however tickets can be purchased online pending availability.

3. Can I get out of my vehicle?
No, guests must stay in their vehicles at all times. If there is an emergency, there will be marked pull-off areas along the event route. Please notify Zoo staff if there is an emergency situation.
 
4. What size vehicle can I use for the Drive-Through event inside the Zoo?
Motorcycles and vehicles carrying more than 12 passengers are not permitted. Vehicle size is limited to 20 feet long, by 9 ½ feet tall, by 6 ½ feet wide, for example, a Ford F250 truck. It is recommended for guests to drive their smallest vehicle, if possible. If you have questions on your vehicle size, please call 216.635.3391.
 
5. How long is the experience?
Times may vary; the average estimated time is around 60-90 minutes.
 
6. Do you drive through in your own vehicle or do you have shuttles available to rent?
You will drive your own vehicle. There are no shuttles available.
 
7. Will there be restrooms available?
There are restrooms available prior to entrance of the Zoo by the Otter parking lot. Restrooms will be unavailable on Zoo grounds.
 
8. Can we ride in the back of a truck?
No, all guests must remain inside a vehicle.
 
9. Once I exit the Zoo, can I go through again on the same day?
No, unless another available ticket is purchased.
 
10. Can I smoke in my car?
No, the Zoo is a tobacco-free campus.

11. What if I miss my time for the drive through?
Alert Zoo staff upon arrival and they will provide you entry into the soonest available timeslot.

12. Can I change my drive through timeslot?
Timeslots are scheduled to allow for regulated traffic flow. If you would like to change your timeslot prior to your event date, please call 216.635.3391 prior to 8:00 p.m. on your event date.

13. Will the event occur if it rains or snows?
Yes, this is a rain or shine event. No rainchecks are available.

14. Is my service animal permitted to attend the event with me?
Service animals covered by ADA regulations are allowed in once they speak with a Zoo staff supervisor before entering the Zoo. Pets are not permitted on Zoo grounds (including in your vehicle).